Tamed Ruler: Statue of Valvil Ori in Semmedu. He freed some Kongu territories from the Chera dynasty and ruled. | Photo Credit: E. LAKSHMI NARAYANAN
A poem in Thirikatukam, an ancient Tamil literary work, says that the only purpose of earning money is charity (Eetharku Seika Porulai). While Thirikatukam belongs to the post-Sangam period, the Tamil kings of the Sangam period bear testimony to the concept they espoused. Prominent among them are Kadaiyezhu Vallalkal (The Last Seven Philanthropic Leaders), and Valivil Ori is one of them. He ruled the Kolli Hills. The Tamil Nadu government organizes a festival every year to remember Ori.
Although the Sangam literary works refer to these chiefs, Sirupanaatru Padai, one of the ten literary works (Pattuppattu), praises all their actions. As his name suggests, Valvil Ori is a good archer. The poet Paranar said that he could kill an elephant, a tiger, a deer, a wild boar, and a monitor lizard with one shot. According to the Tamil Lexicon, ori means the dark blue color of mature honey, and it is believed that this is also the color of Ori’s skin. The name of the horse with the mane is also called Ori.
Killed in battle
According to Sirupanaatru Padai, he donated a land boasting small hills and populated by sura punnai (Alexander’s laurel) trees with fragrant flowers for koothar (dancers and singers). He constantly fought with another chieftain, Malaiyaman Thirumudikari, and was eventually killed in battle. Ori is said to have been born in Kongu region. Through his skill in archery, he freed several areas in the Kongu region (Kolli Hills and Rasipuram) from the Chera Dynasty and ruled. The Kolli Hills, ruled by the Ori, were the natural boundary separating the Chera and Chola states.
Kolli Hills is a major mountain range in the Eastern Ghats of Namakkal district. It is 48 km from Namakkal and there are 70 hairpin bends in Kolli Hills. The mountain ranges from 3,500 feet to 4,500 feet above sea level. This mountain is mentioned in Sangam literature. Before, there were 14 countries in Kolli Hills led by Ori. Currently, these states are divided into 14 panchayats with a total of 773 villages. Apart from these 14 states, Ori ruled over four states (present-day Rasipuram). Information about Valvil Ori is available in Agananooru, Purananooru, Kurunhogai, Natrinai, and Sirupanaatru Padai.
Adhiyaman’s brother
Ori is said to be the last Sangam period. Historians date the period from 145 to 200 AD and estimate that he reigned from 145 to 165 AD. He was a great warrior who earned his place in Tamil history through charity. Tamil literature mentions Ori giving gold to poets, elephants to Sri Lankans, and money to folk dancers. Every day, Ori used to donate an elephant. Those who receive money or elephants will also receive food from him. The poets Paranar, Vanparanar, Kabilar, Kazhaithin Yanaiyar, Perunchithiranar, Nallur Nathanar, and Palathanar have sung in its praise. Ori is also said to be a relative of Adhiyaman, another philanthropic chief, who ruled Thagadur (present-day Dharmapuri). Ori is married to Venmalai and has a daughter, Paavai, alias Porkodi. Ori worships Kollikuzhiraraipalli Sivan (Arappaleeswarar Temple).
The Ori had a fort at Valappur in the Kolli Hills. He refused to become a vassal of King Chera Perum Cheral Irumporai. Already, there is enmity between Valvil Ori and Malaiyaman Thirumudikari. After Ori refused to accept Irumporai’s proposal, Malaiyaman joined Perum Cheral Irumporai’s army and attacked Kolli Hill. In the war, Ori, his wife, and his daughter were killed. Then the country was given to the army general Perum Cheral Irumporai Pittang Kottran.
It was the late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi who started the annual festival to commemorate Ori. Since 1975, every 17th and 18th day of Tamil Aadi month, Valvil Ori Festival is celebrated as a government function. Karunanidhi himself participated in the first edition held at Kolli Hills on September 6, 1975, and unveiled the statue of Valvil Ori near the Kolli Malai bus stand in Semmedu. In this statue, Valvil Ori sits on his horse.
Apart from the hill tribes people, people from different districts participated in the event. An archery competition was also held. Different parts of people garland Valvil Ori statue on 18 in Tamil month of Aadi. At the same time, the Aadi festival will be held at the Arappaleeswarar Temple, which attracts thousands of people. The community claiming Valvil Ori belongs to the caste celebrates the festival on the 18th day of Aadi.
P. Periyasamy, a resident of Kolli Hills, said that even today, the people of the hills refer to Valvil Ori as an incarnation of God. His skill in archery inspired many. “The government should take steps to collect evidence of Ori’s history and inculcate the values ​​they espoused in the youth. Valvil Ori festival should also be celebrated in other districts. The Tamil Nadu government will open an archery training school in the name of Valvil Ori,” he said.
